Carrion-On Mother Nature

Easter weekend, I made a trip to Austin to visit my children and grandchildren.  

It seemed I was traveling the route the recent tornado took.  My little town 

had been spared the complete destruction that nearby towns had experienced.  

How easy it is to overlook the extent of pain and suffering when it happens in

other places.

As I drove along the country roads, it seemed I had stepped into another 

reality--one of destruction--like a war zone.  I was horrified at the devastation 

the tornado had wreaked across the area.  Trees were stripped of their leaves 

and cast about like spilled boxes of broken matches.

I fought back tears, realizing how vulnerable humanity is in the scheme of 

living in this world.  There were all kinds of people working to make things 

better for those who were impacted.  Road crews with their machines and 

relief workers handing-out supplies.

Beyond this observation, I now understood we humans are just one type of 

creature residing on earth.  There are other creatures feeling the loss from a 

tornado wiping-out their basic living needs.

I looked up to the sky.  It seemed about every 10 miles or so, a collection of 

buzzards floated above, spiraling, twisting, and turning.  Too many to count.

Then, the realization hit me--these carrion birds were surveying the tornado 

damage and, in their manner, were clearing the roads of the debris, too. 

Expanding this insight further, I asked myself how many creatures lost their 

lives and their homes in the woods and trees when the tornado passed 

through their world?

Perhaps we humans should consider the other creatures when they, too, 

are ravaged by nature’s fury?  

 

Propaganda Fuels Hatred--Again

Recently, I was pumping gas and noticed these 

“business cards”lying on the ground around the 

pump areas.  I was appalled and frightened that 

such beliefs continue to permeate our world.  

Have we forgotten?

I will not go into an in-depth discussion of the writings

on the cards (front and back shown).  Each one of us 

will have a unique perspective on how these words can

tear the fabric of our Nation--again.  I welcome comments.

My only fear is that by placing these words on

Facebook, it will only help spread the hatred.  That is not my intention.

I just could not ignore the implications. We can no longer turn a blind 

eye to ignorance and injustice.    

There is a saying that people should “keep their friends close,

but keep their enemies closer.”  It is human nature to desire

living in peace.  And, it is easier to take the mindset that one

person does not have the power to make changes except in

each person’s immediate environment.

 

This is exactly what evil is looking for--apathy--to infiltrate

society and take control.  Over time, the peaceful are

exterminated in one way or another and the power-hungry

will rule the nation.

Following the Holocaust, in 1946, Pastor Martin Niemoller

presented the following poem he wrote to remind people

that we all must stand-up and defend each other.  To not

do so, makes us guilty of the evil as well--and can lead to

our own individual and collective demises.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

References

Latz, Rabbi Michael Adam. (2019).  First They Came.  [Online Blog].

Retrieved from https://www.truah.org/resources/first-they-came/

Looking Out My Window

This morning, I was standing at the sink and looking out the window. The weather over the last few years has been rough on the backyard. The sheets of plastic placed over lawn items have deteriorated and are falling-off in strips and pieces.

The cats were outside and roaming about the backyard. A very enterprising bird darted just out of reach of the felines, grabbed a long strip of plastic sheeting, and flew to the highest tree top. It happened so fast!

After I thought about the snatch-and-fly event, I realized that even the birds are getting tired of the rain and cold. On the other hand, Spring must be close because the birds are feathering, or "plastic-lining," their nests.

The day is still gray, but soon we humans will be complaining about the heat....

 

Was Granny Right, Or What?

Grandmother said there are three things a person does not discuss 

in polite company: politics, religion, and another word that begins 

with an ‘s’ (sex).  She couldn’t even say the word.

Today, I took a glance at my horoscope on Yahoo.

“Do your best to avoid conversations about politics, religion, or 

any other potentially volatile topics today.”

Say, What?!

How Do You Salt Your Oats?

No matter what age a person may be, no one wants to be told what to do.  In fact, when confronted with the truth, humans will cling to their false beliefs instead.  So, how does a teacher, counselor, or giver-of-advice steer misguided individuals to manifest appropriate beliefs and behaviors?

Many years ago, we teachers attended an outdoor training session at a horse corral.  The presenter was an old cowboy who used his horse to explain the effective process of teaching others.  

The cowboy expanded upon an old saying which still applies to us all even in today’s world:  

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.  But, you can put enough salt in its oats so that it has to.”  

Perhaps we stop short of completing the transference process.  Yes, we can offer words of knowledge, but we fail to give ownership for the other person to find awareness on his or her own terms.  

In truth, all we can do as educators is salt the environment with wisdom and let each

learner walk the path on his or her own time-frame.  

What is Knowledge?

With knowledge, there is an aloneness. The spectators

become fewer as they, too, seek their own paths to 

knowledge.  And, one day, you awaken to this reality 

that the more one learns, the more solitary one 

becomes. And, it’s just the way it is meant to be.

With knowledge, there is a No-Turning-Back Highway.  

Knowledge itself cannot be removed from the mind or the 

psyche. With knowledge, there is a self-perception 

of ownership. This is my knowledge.  

I can share my knowledge, but it is not the same if I give it to you.  After 

all, it is now and was my knowledge. Take it if you want, but when you do, 

it will be new knowledge for you.

What Words Influence Your Life?

 

Many years ago, I put a few quotes into a picture frame that I kept on my desk.  

It could have held seven small photos, but I wanted words of wisdom instead.

I came across this frame recently and reflected on how these words had influenced 

my life in one way or another, either in how I viewed other people and events, or how 

I viewed myself in the scheme of being.  Here are these guiding words. I am not sure 

of the original authors’ names.

On Relationships:

• How is that working out for you?
• How is that working out for me?

Actions Have Consequences:

• All deeds return three-fold.
• What goes around, comes around.

Helping One Another:

• A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

Mind & Body Connection:

• Scarcity and deprivation always increase desire.

Having a Plan B:

• Always expect a train.

Last, but not in the frame, I have used this phrase so much that people have told me, 

“You sure say this a lot.”  Yes, I know. We all have redundancies in our word usage. 

There is a reason for clichés.

On Life Activities:

• If it’s not one thing, it’s another.